Abdul Khalik, Jakarta – The Prosperous and Justice Party (PKS) has turned over Rp 1 billion (US$109,000) in cash to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) related to last week's bribery arrest of lawmaker Al Amin Nasution.

Suswono, a member of the PKS and deputy chairman of House of Representatives Commission IV overseeing agriculture, plantations, forestry and fisheries, said Sunday the money was given to four PKS members on the commission by officials from several regional administrations, including Bintan regency in Riau Islands province.

"I don't want to speculate on the case as I believe in the due process of the law. That's why we call on the KPK to question each member of Commission IV to prove any allegations. We don't want the public to look suspiciously at the House," Suswono said.

The graft body arrested Amin of the United Development Party (PPP) last Wednesday after he allegedly accepted a Rp 4 million (US$434) bribe from Bintan regency secretary Azirwan.

Investigators confiscated another Rp 67 million in cash from Amin. An additional S$33,000 in cash was seized, but the KPK has not yet determined whether it is connected to the bribery case.

Deputy chairman of the House's disciplinary council, Gayus Lumbuun, said they would question nine members of Commission IV over their possible involvement in the bribery case.

He indicated he had received reports the nine lawmakers were present at the same hotel where the KPK arrested Amin and Azirwan.

"Remember, the money received by the PKS members indicates others could have gotten a similar amount. This will be the starting point for our investigation, and I ask the KPK to investigate it as well," Gayus said. He refused to identify the lawmakers, saying he would wait for more evidence.

The nine lawmakers, together with Amin, are members of a team that visited Bintan in February 2007 to survey a protected forest the local government was petitioning to transform into industrial forest. The commission approved the conversion hours before the arrest of Amin.

Syamsul Huda, Azirwan's lawyer, said earlier other Commission IV members were with Amin at the time of his arrest.

KPK deputy chairman Moch. Jasin did not rule out the possibility other lawmakers were involved or the prospect of an expanded investigation by the graft body.

"But for now, we will concentrate on the people we have as we can't rely on outside statements. If the suspects and witnesses we have testify that other lawmakers were involved, then we will investigate them," he said.

The House was rated the most corrupt institution last year in a survey by Transparency International.